Quilting frame



D. A. WEST QUILTING FRAME June 22, 1937.

Filed Jan. 5, 1935 INVENTOR, wyi ll wi.

%; ATTORNEY;

Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

1 This invention relates to quilting frames of the collapsible type wherein is embodied unique structure which permits folding the entire frame to produce a package of minimum length which will be easily shipped and handled, yet will allow production ofv a satisfactory quilting frame through the use of aminimum number of parts.

One of the important aims of this invention is the provision of a quilting frame having novelly formed foldable trestles with unique types of legs and braces that will permit collapsing the trestle to a flat condition. Another object of the invention is to provide a quilting frame having sectional side rails, each section being substantially the same length as the length of the collapsed trestle so that all parts of the quilting frame might be packaged with convenience and without encountering parts of a size that would preclude satisfactory bundling.

An even further object of this invention is to provide a quilting frame having unique side rails, one of which has a scale formed thereon for the purpose of obtaining accurate adjustment and positioning of the work.

A large number of minor objects of this invention are embodied in the structural details of the quilting frame and will become apparent during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a condensed perspective view of a quilting frame made to embody the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, cross section through the frame.

Fig. 3 is a detailed plan view of the interengag- 35 ing ends of the side rail sections.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the folded trestles, and,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary, detailed view of one end of a trestle back member.

A quilting frame embodying this invention is preferably constructed of wood with certain parts made of easily formed metal such as wire, and the frame comprises a pair of trestles 8, each made in substantially the same manner and including a back member H] which passes between two pairs of diverging legs [2, one pair being adjacent each end respectively of the back member. Each pair of legs I2 is pivotally joined as at [4 to the back member l0 through the medium of bolts or analogous means.

Legs l2 diverge from their pivotal point of connection l4 laterally and outwardly as their lower ends are approached. This construction precludes objectionable looseness in the entire frame and 55 longitudinal movement of the hereinafter described rails is prevented. A member l6 rigidly joins legs I2 to insure rigidity, and in addition to this feature, the twopairs of legs 52 diverge outwardly from each other as their lower ends are approached. This outward angularity is maintained by the wire braces l8, one of which joins each pair of legs respectively with the back member l0.

These braces l8 are uniquely formed of wire and are swingably attached as at 26 to one leg l2 of each pair. The opposite ends of these braces l 8 are hooked or turned abruptly sidewise to present an end portion 22 which engages a socket 24 formed in back member I 0 between the points of attachment of the two pairs of legs. There is enough springing of these braces l8 to allow removal of their ends 22 from the sockets 24, yet when the braces are in place, they will rigidly hold legs I2 in the positions'illustrated in Fig. 1.

A pair of side rails, each comprising sections .26 are mounted .upon trestles B for rotation about their longitudinal axis. Suitable pins 28 carried by the ends of sections 26 engage slots 30 and 32 for'medin back members ii]. The first mentioned slot is of an ordinary type, while slot 32 has a lateral offset 34 at its bottom, into which pin 28 is moved during certain times in the operation of the frame.

Sections 26 are interlocked by forming them as shown in Fig. 3, the means for interlocking being a plurality of bolts 36 which pass through overlapping tongues 38 formed on the proximal ends of sections 26. In order to preclude removal of bolts 36, one of which is carried by each section 26, notches 40 are provided that extend inwardly from the ends of tongues 38 so that each notch 40 will embrace a bolt 36 carried by the opposite section 26.

One end of each side rail respectively is provided with a ratchet Wheel 42 which is rigid to one of the sections 26 to rotate therewith. A dog 44 has an inturned end 46 riding over the teeth of ratchet 42 in. the well known manner so that ratchet wheel 42 and associated parts might rotate in one direction, but will be stopped from rotation. by dog 44 when force is exerted to rotate ratchet 42 and side rail sections 26 in the opposite direction. When dogs 44 are exerting force against ratchet wheels 42 they will move pins 28 into the lateral offset portion 34 of slots 32 and this action will preclude the lifting of the ratchet and associated arts out of engagement with notch 32.

Scale 46 is formed upon one side of sections 26 of each side rail and the work is thereby straightened and kept in an even condition while it is on the quilting frame. The two back members [0, having notches 30 and 32 respectively formed therein are reenforced by screws 48. One of these screws 48 is passed into back ID on each side respectively of each notch 30 and 32, and it is preferred that the two screws at each notch enter back member ID from opposite edges, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Since ratchet wheels 42 are close to this back member l0, it must be strong enough to withstand the force exerted when sections 26 are rotated.

Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which each trestle 8 will collapse when the quilting frame is not in use and when it is being shipped. The diverging legs I2 of each pair will lie i'na plane with one pair of legs l2 embracing or receiving the other pair. Back member I!) will lie in the I same plane as legs l2 and braces l8 will also fold so that the entire assembly is flat. The overall length of each folded trestle is substantially the same length as each section 26 of the side rail and as a result of such relationship, packing, shipping and storing is facilitated.

It has been found in practice that a good grade of wood produces an .exceptionally fine quilting frame, but while such material has been found desirable, and the parts herein. described found preferable, it is desired to be limited only by the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a collapsible quilting frame, a pair of trestles, each of said trestles comprising a back member having a socket formed in each side respectively thereof, a pair of diverging legs pivotally secured to the back member adjacent each end respectively, and a brace pivotally mounted on each pair of legs respectively, said braces each comprising a hook having one end swingably attached to the inner side of one of the legs of the respective pair of legs and the other end in releasable engagement with the proximal socket formed in the said back member intermediate the points of securement of said legs, said back member, pairs of legs and braces being in the same plane and the legs of one pair being between the legs of the other pair when the trestle is collapsed.

2. In a collapsible quilting frame, a trestle comprising a back member having a: socket formed in each side thereof, a pair of diverging legs pivotally secured to the back member adjacent each end respectively, and a brace pivotally mounted on each pair of legs respectively, said braces each comprising a hook having one end swingably attached to one leg of the respective pair of legs and the otherend in releasable engagement with the proximal socket formed in the said back member intermediate the points: of securement of said legs, said back member, pairs of legs and braces being in the same plane and the legs of one pair being between the legs of the other pair when the trestle is collapsed.

3. In a collapsible quilting frame having a pair of side rails, a pair of trestlesfor the side rails each comprising a back member provided with notches in the upper edge thereof adjacent the ends to receive the side rails, and sockets in each side intermediate the ends thereof; two pairs of opposed legs pivotally secured at one end to the back member, one pair being between each notch and the proximal socket, the legs of each pair being inclined outwardly from each other downwardly; a brace having one end pivotally secured at one leg of each pair respectively and having a. laterally extended portion at the free end thereof to enter the proximal socket to preclude pivotal movement of the associated pair of legs; and a tie member rigidly joining the legs of each pair respectively intermediate the ends and on the outer sides thereof, said back member, two pairs of legs andbraces being in the same plane with the legs of one pair embracing the other pair and back member when the trestle is collapsed, the tie member of the embracing pair of legs serving to limit movement of the other pair of legs and back member in one direction when the trestle is collapsed.

DWIGHT A. WEST. 

